Musicians
Theodore R. Browne (ca. 1910-1979)
A pioneer playwright, actor, author, and teacher, Theodore Browne was best known for his association with the Negro Unit of...
Ossie Davis (1917-2005)
A veteran actor, playwright and film director, Ossie Davis, grew up in Waycross, Georgia and attended Howard University for three...
Maxwell Lemuel “Max” Roach (1924–2007)
Drummer, composer, and percussionist Max Roach was noted for his innovative contrapuntal polyrhythms, and was one of the founders of...
Buddy Bolden (1877-1931)
Charles “Buddy” Bolden is said to be the first musician to play jazz music. While this is debatable, it is...
Charles “Charlie” Parker, Jr. (1920-1955)
Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker was the most influential jazz musician to follow Louis Armstrong, and one of the music’s few...
Joseph “King” Oliver (1885-1938)
Mentor to Louis Armstrong and pioneer of what would become known as the Harmon trumpet mute, Joe “King” Oliver was...
Charles Gordone (1925-1995)
Charles Gordone was born Charles Edward Fleming on October 12, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio to parents William and Camille Fleming. ...
Cecil Taylor (1929- )
One of the great innovators of jazz music, pianist Cecil Taylor has redefined modernist jazz improvisation and composition. With uncompromising...
William Lineas Maples (1869-1943)
William Lineas Maples, a physician and musician, was born in Sevierville, Tennessee, on March 31, 1869. The son of Edward...
